DALLAS & SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Susan
G. Komen and Heron
Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that
the two organizations have joined forces to encourage supporters to take
action in the fight against breast cancer. Through their new
partnership, Susan G. Komen and Heron Therapeutics strive to raise
awareness of the importance of supportive care in breast cancer
treatment, with the goal of allowing patients to complete their
treatment regimens and thereby increase survival rates.

“Patient Preferences for Chemotherapies Used in
Breast Cancer.”

Through coordinated fundraising efforts, Susan G. Komen and Heron
Therapeutics have launched a donation matching program (the Heron
Matching Program) aimed at doubling funds raised in Susan G. Komen’s
2016 year-end fundraising campaign. Heron Therapeutics and an affiliated
partner have made a $250,000 donation to Susan G. Komen and have pledged
to match dollar-for-dollar – up to a total commitment of $1 million –
all Heron Matching Program donations made through December 31, 2016. The
funds will be used by Komen to support its mission to save lives by
meeting the most critical needs in local communities and investing in
breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.

“Heron Therapeutics and Susan G. Komen share a common interest in
improving the quality of life for breast cancer patients,” said Susan G.
Komen Senior Vice President of Development Christina Alford. “Addressing
issues like nausea, vomiting and pain can help patients remain in
treatment through the continuum of care and increase their opportunity
for long-term survival. Support from Heron Therapeutics and the launch
of the Heron Matching Program will support research and community
programs, moving us closer to achieving our Bold Goal of reducing the
current number of breast cancer deaths in the U.S. by 50 percent within
the next decade.”

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women in
the U.S., and, this year alone, approximately 247,000 new cases of
invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S.1 Among
women diagnosed with breast cancer, 72% to 94% (depending on stage of
disease) are treated with surgery, and chemotherapy is often part of the
treatment plan.2

“Despite available treatments, patients are still suffering from the
debilitating effects of breast cancer surgery and chemotherapy, which
result in difficult and painful recoveries that create understandable
challenges to the continuation of treatment,” said Barry D. Quart,
Pharm.D., Chief Executive Officer of Heron Therapeutics. “Heron
Therapeutics is dedicated to improving the lives of patients by
developing best-in-class medicines that are aimed to offset these
overwhelming side effects, and we invite the public to take action by
donating to Komen in support of those currently battling breast cancer.”

Anthracycline and cyclophosphamide-based regimens are among the most
common chemotherapies used to treat patients following breast cancer
surgery, but they are associated with devastating side effects, such as
prolonged nausea and vomiting. Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
(CINV) is the side effect of chemotherapy that patients most want to
avoid.3 New treatment options are needed to help prevent and
manage CINV, especially the nausea and vomiting that continues for days
after receiving chemotherapy, where limited effective options exist.

Post-surgical pain is another debilitating side effect that breast
cancer patients face, where additional treatment options are needed.
Most patients who undergo breast cancer surgery experience pain, which
requires the use of opioids and hospitalization for several days.
Opioids have the potential to cause side effects, such as constipation,
nausea, altered mental status and respiratory depression. Further,
opioids place patients at serious risk for long-term dependence or
addiction. New non-opioid alternatives are needed for managing
post-surgical pain in these patients.4

Supportive
care and symptom management are critical components of a breast cancer
patient’s treatment plan and can help prevent or relieve the side
effects of breast cancer and its treatment, while providing many
important benefits to breast cancer patients and their families.
Supportive care has been shown to improve quality of life for breast
cancer patients and may help these patients complete their treatment
regimens and thereby increase survival rates.

Donate now at komen.org
to take part in the program and join in on the fight against breast
cancer.

About Susan G. Komen®

Susan G. Komen is the world’s largest breast cancer organization,
funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit outside of
the federal government while providing real-time help to those facing
the disease. Since its founding in 1982, Komen has funded more than $920
million in research and provided more than $2 billion in funding to
screening, education, treatment and psychosocial support programs
serving millions of people in more than 30 countries worldwide. Komen
was founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G.
Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy’s life. Visit komen.org
or call 1-877 GO KOMEN. Connect with us on social at ww5.komen.org/social.

About Heron Therapeutics, Inc.

Heron Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on improving
the lives of patients by developing best-in-class medicines that address
major unmet medical needs. Heron is developing novel, patient-focused
solutions that apply its innovative science and technologies to
already-approved pharmacological agents for patients suffering from
cancer or pain. For more information, visit www.herontx.com.